







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Erm... While your hands are already dirty... | |
| Hi, I don't think it's broken. | |
| It seems there is no one in the house! | |
| Cate, are you okay? You seem a little bit aggressive. | |
| I'm really amazed by the structure of this station. | |
| I'm okay, how are you? | |
| Here we go, I'm sure it means they pay much less. | |
| Thanks, yeah, as I said, Camden is in zone-2... | |
| Hello Beatrix, it's me, Cate. | |
| I was just joking, how are you? | |
| See you Mike, hope to see you again. | |
| I don't believe you! What's the difference today? | |
| Yes, that's okay, we are just about to leave. | |
| It doesn't matter, I think they are the same distance away. | |
| Okay, that's fine. | |
| This is the last one and, unfortunately, it has a hole in it. | |
| Maybe I get a bit moody on the first day of my period. | |
| Thanks Rocco, that's all for now. | |
| Bear's sitting here with me, his willy is out. | |
| You are lucky! | |